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2009 Shows

(Original Air Date: 02/28/07) Most parents find raising a child overwhelming enough, but imagine if your child could neither see you, nor hear you. Now imagine having three children like that. Liz is the mother of deaf and blind triplets. Her three daughters are now 6 years old, but one of the girls communicates at a 2-year-old level, and the other two at only a 10-month-old level. Liz's world is consumed with their 24-hour care, plus the care of her oldest daughter, who is 10 and often overlooked among the chaos of the triplets. After years of dealing with the girls on her own, a new man stepped into Liz's life to fill the shoes of her ex-husband. George thought he could become Liz's hero, but their relationship has been strained from the start, and the stress is tearing them apart. See what a day in Liz and George's lives are like, and the surprises Dr. Phil has in store for them. Plus, meet an inspirational woman who says her world turned from light to dark at the age of 15. She's got a message for George and Liz. Don't miss this heartbreaking and heroic story!

My heart has reached out to those girls that i am going to school to help deafblind people in need. It is hard finding good information about becoming an Intervenor so i did my research and found an interesting site..check it out! http://public.sd38.bc.ca/DeafBlindWeb/Intervention/types

I am catching up on my DVR and I am embarrassed to say that I am just watching the update show on the deaf, blind triplets from 8/13 (catching it on rerun). I am currently learning how to handle a dog who is 14 years old and going deaf, blind in one eye and the other eye is now going too. He used to be a playful pup with all kinds of energy so he has had the opportunity to see, hear, communicate, and interact. I cannot even begin to imagine a child going through this at a very young age and even from birth, let alone THREE! What amazing parents and so inspiring!

I am the mother of a deaf/blind daughter who also has CP. I know the challenges there are with just one and wouldn't know what I would do with three. My daughter has some of the issues that the triplets have, she is in her own world most of the time. Every place we have lived in Oregon has never experienced a child like her. She is one of a kind here. Some are willing to take on the challenge, and some are afraid. When my daughter began her education she was what I call feral. Very violent and not willing to be touched by strangers. I use to tell her teachers and specialists to duck and weave. She will be 7 tomorrow and although there has been many changes, she still can not communicate, she is in diapers still, and she can not walk. I thank her special people for all they do because every year something new changes and I am slowly getting a little girl instead of a baby. It's hard, very hard, because I never imagined her to be this way when I was pregnant and I have gone through the mourning phase at least twice since she has been born. I get so mad at people who tell me,"God doesn't give you more then you can handle." because I don't remember God every asking me if I've had enough.I love this little girl very much and am thankful she is able to show love back. I couldn't imagine my life without her.

As a deafblind person myself, I am so grateful to see this show is a classic, as the true problem of obtaining help adds an unnecessary burden on the disability at so many levels. To date, I've been unable to locate counseling for coping with vision and hearing loss(es) and their emotional impact on myself and/or my family.

I was 40 years old before I ever had a conversation with another person who also has Usher Syndrome, the cause of my deafblindness. I was 50 when I first met another person with Usher. Communicating with others like myself has been a blessing like no other.

For now at least, coping with deafblindness, we are our own greatest resource. Networking with others who have 'been there - done that' or are going through these challenges today is the best way I know to learn what works and what doesn't, to learn which emotions and challenges are 'normal' for someone with deafblindness, which is not addressed here on Dr. Phil or through local professional help. I hope Dr. Phil's message boards can eventually achieve this, as I believe that’s one of the goals of this message board. It is through networking we learn what works and what doesn’t, what our best resources are, and so forth. I have both laughed and cried as I ‘chatted’ with others about giving up driving, how it feels to be a white cane user, and so much more.

I'd like to recommend you use your favorite search engine to look for a 'listserv' for deaf blind, deaf, blind, parents of these, or of any particular disease or condition you need support with that may be combined with the deafness or blindness.

For those who do not know, a listserv is an email list in which messages and their replies are sent to everyone signed up to that particular listserv. It is an email way of networking with others who share the same interest, in this case a disability, specifically deafblindness. Again, use the word 'listserv' plus the disability or disease and see what you can find. Join any listservs you wish, at least for a few weeks, to see if it looks like it will prove helpful to you. Some are better than others, and some are more fact-based while others are more social. I’m even starting to see more topics on/for teens with deafblindness, which is so heartwarming.

The number one lesson to learn with disabilities is that we must advocate for ourselves, no one ‘comes to our rescue’ – except Dr. Phil if you are on his show! Helen Keller is a prime example of advocacy, but it did not end with her – it began with her, as far as deafblindness is concerned.

My heart is with each of you and may you find great comfort in reaching out and learning you are not alone with deafblindness and there are SOME resources available - learn to lobby/advocate for the rest!

We have a son that is blind. When I watched this show I could not stop the tears. I know how Liz feels. I feel that I am not doing enough for Luke. Luke lost his sight shortly after birth and this road has been long long long and hard. Luke is 2 1/2 now and I feel like I am at my wits end with communicating with him. Luke gets frustrated, upset, and lashes out when he can't express himself. Luke is in therapy and it has helped so much. How can you get passed the feelings that you are locked in a closet and get anyone to hear you? It is hard as a parent of disabled children to afford the things that your child needs. We are down to one income to try to support our family. If you make too much, SSI drops off. Which in turn you lose your medical benefits. It really bites!

We are trying to get a lift for Luke for our van. Luke has cerebral palsy, agenesis of corpus collasum, periventricular leukomalacia, chronic lung disease, and is totally blind.

Please pray for our family. I believe in the power of prayer. I believe in His works.

I agree with you that a solid marriage is a foundation for all children. However, when it comes to raisingdisabled children not all parents, as individuals can handle this extra responsibility or how to handle their own feelings ,and begin to learn how to help their child. I have a disabled child. i too, am re-married to the only father figure my son has ever known. My husband is very dedicated to our familyand loves us deeply. However, when it comes to my son he has a huge problem with jumping intomy son's life as a profoundly deaf child with other medical issues, and learn sign language, andsupport myself and my son in every way. Its 24 hr care, always on your toes keeping them safe,learning how to communicate, ,keeping them safe with every move they make when they haveno hearing. Not all parents just automatically can do all this easily.